Toronto, ON – IAM Canadian General Vice-President Stan Pickthall commended the federal government on seeking agreements with provincial and territorial governments to provide 10 days of paid sick leave to workers infected with COVID-19.

“This is potentially very good news for those who have put their bodies and their lives on their line to provides services and goods so the rest of us can weather this crisis,” said Pickthall. “It IS a worthy recognition of their service to Canadians. The IAM will watch events closely in the coming days to ensure it is accomplished in a fair, meaningful and timely manner.”

Credit MUST also go to the federal NDP and leader Jagmeet Singh for securing this important advancement in workers’ rights. Singh and the NDP made supporting the Liberal government’s parliamentary agenda until September contingent upon achieving sick leave for workers. This is the latest in a series of positive gains for Canadians that the NDP has battled for since the COVID crisis hit Canada earlier this year.

The IAM maintains that workers shouldn’t be forced to go to work and put themselves or others in danger because of financial stresses. We also feel that if they do go to work, they must have adequate time to recover if they fall ill. ​